Dominic Cummings Durham-stay cottage broke planning guidelines

The property Dominic Cummings used throughout his lockdown journey didn’t have planning permission, officers discovered.

The PM’s adviser stayed together with his household in what he stated was a “cottage” on his dad and mom’ farm in Durham in April.

Nevertheless, Durham County Council stated no motion can be taken because the breaches have been “historic” as a result of they occurred exterior the time restrict for enforcement.

Councils have a most of between 4 and 10 years to take motion, relying on the character of the infringement.

An investigation into whether or not the property was appropriately registered for council tax is continuous.

Downing Avenue has been requested to remark however beforehand declined.

Swimming pool

The council investigated the planning standing after receiving quite a few complaints and the problem was raised with it by Metropolis of Durham Labour MP Mary Foy.

The one planning purposes listed on the council’s web site for the farm are for a roof over a swimming pool in 2001, and the removing of varied timber.

The prime minister’s senior adviser spent a part of the lockdown in what he described as a cottage on his dad and mom’ property at North Lodge, on the outskirts of Durham.

He had travelled 260 miles from London together with his spouse and four-year-old son to get to the household house of his mom and father, Robert and Morag Cummings.

Durham County Council stated it had acquired quite a few complaints about whether or not the property had the proper planning permission, and whether or not it was appropriately registered for council tax.

Stuart Timmiss, the council’s head of growth and housing, stated: “Whereas there have been historic breaches of planning and constructing management rules, present laws locations a time restrict on any enforcement measures and in consequence no additional motion can be taken.”

Mr Timmiss stated the investigation concluded the primary home had not been subdivided, and that the residential use of an outbuilding for household lodging didn’t require planning permission.

The council officer added recommendation had been supplied to the Cummings household on constructing management rules.

It has not been made clear whether or not any breaches occurred through the time Dominic Cummings’ dad and mom have lived there.

Mr Timmiss added: “Now we have additionally appeared into the complaints raised in respect of non-payment of council tax and can be passing our findings on to the Valuation Workplace for its consideration and evaluation.”

Dominic Cummings stated he travelled to Durham due to issues about childcare for his son, after his spouse Mary Wakefield had developed potential coronavirus signs. They stayed on the property for greater than a fortnight and he stated he developed Covid-19 signs whereas he was there.

Durham Police stated Mr Cummings might have breached coronavirus rules by driving to Barnard Fortress throughout his keep, however the pressure stated it might not take retrospective motion.

Mr Cummings had stated the 60-mile spherical journey together with his spouse and son was to check his eyesight to make sure he may make the journey again to London safely, and that he had acted fairly and legally.

Observe BBC North East & Cumbria on Twitter, Fb and Instagram. Ship your story concepts to [email protected].